Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory. The features distinguishing them are far more varied than the features dividing other pairs of species which are so closely genetically related. Mar 23, 2020 aah aat alister hardy aquatic ape theory badjao badjao association of matina aplaya badjao conference bajau laut bajau laut conference bajo broken eardrums coral triangle davao derawan islands dha docosahexaenoic acid donald johanson dynamite fishing elaine morgan erik abrahamsson erika schagatay fish bombing grouper harry arlo nimmo hawksbill. Some ignore it, some ridicule it, some are convinced that its the truth and some have never heard of it. So the aquatic ape theory is actually pretty interesting. Television writer and scientific theorist elaine morgan may have been known for penning the popular british tv series dr. In 1967, the hypothesis was mentioned in the naked ape, a popular book by the zoologist desmond morris, who reduced hardys phrase more aquatic ape like ancestors to the bare aquatic ape, commenting that despite its most appealing indirect evidence, the aquatic theory lacks solid support. The aquatic ape theory suggest that the main reason why we differ from gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos which all share a common ancestor with us is that humans adapted to live in aquatic environments, while apes did not.
One quick search on amazon got me directed to this dealer and within about 3 days i had it in my hands. Synopsis this thoughtprovoking text presents the aquatic ape theory, with new information, new questions and a wealth of documentary evidence. Aquatic ape hypothesis elaine morgan ebok 9780285639812. We walk upright all the time, we dont have fur, we have bigger brains and are less robust, and so on. May 20, 2017 the aquatic ape theory suggest that the main reason why we differ from gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos which all share a common ancestor with us is that humans adapted to live in aquatic environments, while apes did not. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Nov 26, 2010 so she continued to write and publish four more books on the theory, called the aquatic ape, the descent of the child, the aquatic ape hypothesis and the scars of evolution. Next week they will hold a major london conference when several speakers, including david attenborough, will voice support for the theory. Apr 11, 20 the aquatic ape theory suggests that when our ancestors moved onto the savanna they were already different from apes. Presumably, early apes were plant and fruit eaters in tropical forests. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat is the idea that ancestors of modern humans were more aquatic than those of other great apes the hypothesis was initially proposed by the marine biologist alister hardy in 1960, who argued that a branch of apes was forced by competition over terrestrial habitats to hunt for food such as shellfish on the sea shore.
Nov 01, 1982 i first heard about the aquatic ape hypothesis from sharon moalems survival of the sickest, and for years i intended to read more about it but never got around to it. Proponents of the aquatic ape theory compare the predictions of their model with the predictions that they derive for a traditionalist model, which they term the. Sep 26, 2008 a 5 minute explanation of a new approach towards evolution. This idea was attacked at first by scientists, but the book became an international bestseller. Theory that humans underwent a semiaquatic phase at some point in their evolution. Elaine morgan gives a revolutionary hypothesis that explains our anatomic anomalieswhy we walk on two legs, why we are covered in fat, why we can control our rate of breathing. The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs hhmi biointeractive video. The aquatic ape theory states that our ancestors once spent a sinificant part of their life in water. The aquatic ape theory proposes that such an aquatic phase, during which ancestral hominids relied on a water habitat, explains much of the distinctive anatomy of recent humans.
Elaine morgan researched and wrote several books on it, including the bestseller. This is the aquatic ape theory and although treated with derision by some academics over the past 50 years, it is still backed by a small, but committed group of scientists. What are some objections to the aquatic ape theory of. The aquatic ape theory aka aat or aah ill generally use the term aath on this site hypothesizes that humans went through an aquatic or semiaquatic stage in our evolution, generally said to have occurred during the transition from the last common ancestor we shared with apes lca to hominids although some aath proponents claim it. I am in debted to the many people who helped to make this book possible primarily to sir alister hardy. In presenting her case elaine morgan forces scientists to question accepted theories of human evolution, while expressing complex ideas for the general reader in a clear and accessible style. She wrote six books about the aquatic ape theory, derived from ancient greek philosophies about human evolution. The aquatic ape theory was an attempted explanation for why humans differ so much from the other great apes. Aah aat alister hardy aquatic ape theory badjao badjao association of matina aplaya badjao conference bajau laut bajau laut conference bajo broken eardrums coral triangle davao derawan islands dha docosahexaenoic acid donald johanson dynamite fishing elaine morgan erik abrahamsson erika schagatay fish bombing grouper harry arlo nimmo hawksbill. Proponents of the aquatic ape theory compare the predictions of their. As i understand it, it is the general idea that modern humans evolved from aquatic mammals. Excellent new theory concerning the aquatic ape hypothesis showing 1845 of 845 messages. As dawkins has made clear many times in his books an adaptation need not be perfect to be.
The aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of many of humankinds unique traits. Contrary to its cryptozoological title, its actually more about real history than it sounds, but thats a story for another day. It suggests that the significant loss of body hair, bipedalism, and other characteristics evolved some time earlier in an aquatic or semi aquatic environment, when the human and ape lines first diverged. My book arrived both sooner and in better condition that i expected. The aquatic ape theory is something i first heard about from one of my favourite blogs, mermaids are real, which is actually a published book as well. Humans differ from apes in a surprising number of ways. The aquatic ape theory the author calls aat very sexy and absolutely beguiling. The aquatic ape theory was first proposed by max westenhofer in 1942, then once again in 1960 through the independent research of alister hardy. The aquatic ape hypothesis the most credible theory of human evolution by elaine. In presenting her case elaine morgan forces scientists to question accepted theories of human evolution. The theory was first discussed in the 1940s but it has many difficulties. Apr 11, 2020 aquatic ape theory does present a compelling explanation for how a fully aquatic humanlike creature may have evolved.
The asteroid that killed the dinosaurs hhmi biointeractive video duration. It provides a sensible explanation for why human beings, while genetically similar to apes, possess so many different physical features, and how these physical adaptations could have come into being. A slowed heart rate when submerged the nose isnt convincing. Clinical research institute, 110 pine avenue west, montreal, canada h2w 1r7 abstract hardys aquatic ape theory aat proposes that man progressed phylogeneti cally to the twolegged hairless creature that he is today via a semi aqua tic diversion which probably began. The scars of evolution 1990, the descent of the child 1994, the aquatic ape hypothesis 1997 and the naked darwinist 2008 and continued to promote the aquatic ape theory until the end of her life. My name is erik abrahamsson a swedish anthropologist and photographer. A challenge to langdons 1997 critique of the aquatic ape hypothesis has still not been published despite the paper appearing to have a number of weaknesses which deserve a response. A few months ago i read an npr article in which the writer made a brief dismissive comment about the theory, which i recalled feeling positive about from its portrayal in moalem. It suggests that the significant loss of body hair, bipedalism, and other characteristics evolved some time earlier in an aquatic or semiaquatic environment, when the human and ape lines first diverged. A brief critique of morgans 1997 book,the aquatic ape hypothesis elaine morgans 1997 aquatic ape book her sixth is supposedly her best researched according to her so ive read it and here jotted down some notes of things that i could immediately see were errors, problems, or logical fallacies. He waited for thirty years before publishing an account of it, having a shrewd idea how it would be received and how it might damage his career.
It is the most persuasive, closely argued case yet offered to explain the mystery of human origins. Nov 30, 2010 a short video explaining the aquatic ape theory. In an article for the conversation, roberts slammed attenboroughs decision to create a twopart radio series on the theory, known as the aquatic ape hypothesis, which she said lacks credible. Apr 16, 2012 the aquatic ape theory, now largely dismissed, tries to explain the origins of many of humankinds unique traits.
Evolutionists try to support this insane aquatic ape theory by pointing out features in humans that are similar to aquatic mammals, such as the hippopotamus and dolphin. Buy the aquatic ape first edition by morgan, elaine isbn. The theory of an aquatic phase in human prehistory was conceived by sir alister hardy in 1930, when he was a young professor of marine biology at oxford. I had just watched the animal planet mockumentary on tv and was left with at least a hundred questions as to the basis of the aquatic ape theory. The aquatic ape hypothesis by elaine morgan, paperback. The aquatic ape theory or aquatic ape hypothesis has been in the air for decades now. Excellent new theory concerning the aquatic ape hypothesis. So she continued to write and publish four more books on the theory, called the aquatic ape, the descent of the child, the aquatic ape hypothesis and the scars of evolution. It is not a theory in the scientific sense due to a want of evidence, it is more like a fringe idea. This is a blog about sea nomads, maritime lifestyles and human evolutionary science.
Most credible theory of human evolution new ed by morgan, elaine isbn. Elaine morgan 192020 was the author of the 1972 book the descent of woman, which suggested that human evolution had an aquatic origin. What do those differences tell us about human evolution. It is not meant to provide a complete reference to each topic, but rather references that professor ellis found relevant to the aquatic ape theory. It was picked up by elaine morgan in her book, the naked darwinist. I first heard about the aquatic ape hypothesis from sharon moalems survival of the sickest, and for years i intended to read more about it but never got around to it. I am interested in indigenous cultures, maritime lifestyles and evolutionary science. Why anthropologists dont accept the aquatic ape theory john. The aquatic ape theory is highly controversial to say the least.
Sometimes known as aat a highly plausible and convincing theory to some, a load of nonsense to others. Her persistence paid off as the aquatic ape theory began to be discussed in scientific journals, but her success meant that she was open to attack. In 2009, richard wrangham of harvard university and colleagues suggested in the american journal of physical anthropology pdf that. Elaine morgan and the aquatic ape erika lorraine milam. The aquatic ape theory proposes that such an aquatic phase, during which.
Sep 16, 2016 in an article for the conversation, roberts slammed attenboroughs decision to create a twopart radio series on the theory, known as the aquatic ape hypothesis, which she said lacks credible. Human evolution in the sea at bioko norwegian scitech news. May, 20 i first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. Finlays casebook, but for decades the welsh feminist writer championed human evolutionary theories using aquatic species. I confess a certain personal interest in the matter. Chapter four the aquatic ape theory mermaids are real. The argument for the aquatic ape theory was based mainly on facts of comparative anatomy.
The aquatic ape hypothesis retro classics 9780285643611. He was not aware that a similar idea had been published in germany during the war by. The aquatic ape hypothesis by elaine morgan overdrive. The rejection of the aquatic ape theory is quite similar. Like modern whales that evolved from land mammals long ago, is it possible that a species of ape, descended from the same ancestors as we humans, may have evolved a flipper tail while retaining a humanlike upper body. Popularized in the 1970s and 1980s by writer elaine morgan, the theory suggests. I can see two possible future scenarios for the aquatic ape theory.
In the decades since, morgans aquatic ape hypothesis has gained widespread support. He had seen a television special on the theory and briefly followed up with a search of the scientific literature, but. Aquatic ape theory does present a compelling explanation for how a fully aquatic humanlike creature may have evolved. Sorry david attenborough, we didnt evolve from aquatic apes. As i recall, the aquatic ape theory hopes to explain certain human differences with our ape relatives.
I first learned of elaine morgan and the aquatic ape theory from a botanist. The aquatic ape hypothesis aah, also referred to as aquatic ape theory aat is the idea that. The aquatic ape theory on the other hand picks out one of all these environments and says. This is how evolutionists decide what falsehoods to believe in, apparently. The hypothetical aquatic phase of the ancestral apes during the fossil gap would have been brief, a matter of two or three million years. This is the aquatic ape theory and although treated with derision by some academics over the past 50 years, it. A new aquatic ape theory science smithsonian magazine. Next week they will hold a major london conference when several speakers, including david attenborough. In support of the aquatic ape theory the post glacial. Hominids all diverged from common ancestors, but homo sapiens more radically so.
The aquatic ape theory aka aat or aah ill generally use the term aath on this site hypothesizes that humans went through an aquatic or semi aquatic stage in our evolution, generally said to have occurred during the transition from the last common ancestor we shared with apes lca to hominids although some aath proponents claim it. While morgan staunchly argues that there is a lot of. Key proponents of aat aquatic ape theory hypothesis. The writer elaine morgan championed it in her book the aquatic ape, and developed the hypothesis further, marshalling a seemingly impressive. First proposed by sir alister hardy in the 1950s, and taken up in the 1970s by elaine morgan in books such as the descent of woman and the descent of the child. A few months ago i read an npr article in which the writer made a brief dismissive comment about the theory, which i recalled feeling positive about from its portrayal in moalems book. A documentary by sir david attenborough, the waterside ape, is based on morgans aquatic ape hypothesis. These cartoonish representations of macho cave men were part of what attracted some feminists to the aquatic ape theory, often abbreviated aat, or the aquatic ape hypothesis.
The aquatic ape theory graham hancock official website. Jan 03, 2011 elaine morgan 192020 was the author of the 1972 book the descent of woman, which suggested that human evolution had an aquatic origin. Morgans aat was most highly developed in her recent book. This bibliography has been compiled from the perspective of a marine biologist with an interest in the aquatic ape theory of human evolution. She wrote six books about the aquatic ape theory, derived from ancient greek philosophies about human. Aquatic ape theory, speech origins, and brain differences with apes and monkeys article pdf available in medical hypotheses 445.
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